Novak Djokovic accused Wimbledon fans of “disrespect” in a withering on-court tirade after reaching a 60th Grand Slam quarter-final and 15th at the All England Club.
World number two Djokovic, the seven-time champion at Wimbledon and chasing a record-setting 25th major, defeated 15th-ranked Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
It set up a quarter final clash with Australian Alex de Minaur who beat American Arthur Fils to progress
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Djokovic then launched a bitter outburst at a section of Centre Court fans who constantly chanted “Rune” throughout the match, echoing the shouts of “Root”, popularised by cricket fans in the country in support of former England cricket skipper Joe Root.
“To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” said an angry Djokovic.
“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player — in this case me — have a goooooooood night,” he added, mocking his tormentors.
When told by the TV interviewer that some fans were shouting “Rune” rather than booing, Djokovic hit back.
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“They were. They were. I am not accepting it. No no no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said.
“Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks. I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players.
“I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me — you guys can’t touch me.”
The 37-year-old Serb, still sporting a knee support on his right leg after undergoing surgery last month, set the tone for Monday’s fourth-round tie when Rune failed to win a single point in the opening three games.
He saved a break point in the 10th game of the second set before carving out another key break in the first game of the third.
Djokovic goes on to face Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur for a place in the semi-finals.
Taylor Fritz mounted a stirring comeback to dump fourth seed Alexander Zverev out of the tournament, winning their last-16 match 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.
Confronted with Zverev’s relentless serve, American 13th seed Fritz looked to be heading home but engineered a crucial break in the third set.
It was the first time the German former world number two had been broken in the entire tournament.
Fritz, who won the Eastbourne International on grass last month, edged the fourth set on a tie-break and broke again in the fifth set as he raised his level.
“It was amazing to do that on Centre Court, two sets down in front of this crowd. It’s a dream,” he said.
“The thing was I still felt I was playing really well for being down two sets. I was just thinking it sucked to be playing this well and to lose in straights.
“So let’s take the third, I took it one at a time. I had that belief. It was just a couple of points here and there.” The American, who hit a total of 69 winners against 23 unforced errors, will face Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals.
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Defeat for Zverev means the big-serving German, runner-up at Roland Garros last month, has still never reached the last eight at Wimbledon.
Elina Svitolina wept on court after reaching the last eight at Wimbledon for a third time with a 6-2, 6-1 win against China’s Wang Xinyu in just 55 minutes.
The 21st seed, wearing a black ribbon on her white shirt, was in action after Russia struck cities across Ukraine in missile attacks, which heavily damaged a Kyiv children’s hospital.
“It’s a very difficult day today for all Ukraine people,” said the 29-year-old Svitolina.
As she attempted to compose herself, she received a lengthy round of applause from spectators on Court Two.
“It was not easy to focus on the match. Since this morning it has been very difficult to read the news and go on court.”
Svitolina will next play Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina, who defeated an injury-hit Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 3-0.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, said she did not feel pressure even though she is the highest-ranking player left in the women’s draw.
Svitolina, in line with all Ukraine players, refuses to shake hands with Russian opponents but insisted she would offer her hand to Rybakina when they clash.
Svitolina breaks down in tears after win | 00:54
“She changed her nationality, so it means she doesn’t want to represent her original country,” said Svitolina.
Australian ninth seed Alex de Minaur, who won the ‘s-Hertogenbosch grass-court tournament last month, prevailed in four sets against France’s Arthur Fils to set up a quarter-final against Djokovic
Musetti ruined big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s 21st birthday by coming from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.
Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3.